Massey cited in death of West Virginia miner

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Massey Energy Co. has been cited for four violations that government investigators say contributed to the death of a West Virginia miner last October, according to a fatal-accident report.

The violations could trigger special penalties of $5,000 to $10,000 apiece, according to the state Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training report due to be released Wednesday. The agency also cited Virginia-based Massey for three non-contributing violations uncovered during the investigation.

Miner Steven Cain, 32, died after he was pinned between a wall and a rail car at Massey's Justice No. 1 underground mine in Boone County on Oct. 8.

One citation was issued because investigators determined Massey was not properly supervising Cain, who was still an apprentice miner, according to the report. Cain worked for a labor outsourcing company that provides miners to coal producers.

The other contributing violations involved low visibility, improper clearance and failing to allow Cain to get to a safe area, according to the report. The non-contributing violations included a missing jack from a locomotive and a broken track switch.

A Massey spokesman had no immediate comment Monday.

Cain is one of eight West Virginia miners and 26 nationally to die on the job this year, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

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